Support for people like me? - Raw Food Chat

ElektrykEye · 04-02-2006

I just found this board and am hoping to find some support for transitioning into a healthier way of eating. I believe that raw food is MUCH healthier than processed junk, but I'll admit that I'm lazy and quite used to eating fast food and convenience foods as well as tons of sugar. I am overweight and feel 20 years older than I am. I feel like I'm killing myself with my current diet. And yet, my good intentions don't seem to get me far.

I have a pattern of deciding to change the way I eat, even going so far as to buy healthy food at the grocery store and get rid of the junk food, and then giving up on the new way of eating within the first 24 hrs because my cravings for sugar are so strong and my energy levels are so low.

I am posting here in hopes that there will be people out there who can support me in this lifestyle change. Nobody in my "real" life is supportive of a raw foods diet. Almost all of my family members and friends are overweight and none of them take good care of themselves. I need to surround myself with healthy people.

Any supportive words or suggestions would be helpful. I wish I could meet some in-person friends who share this lifestyle, but online encouragement would help as well. Thanks!

apple · 04-03-2006

hi elektrykeye,

just keep going! the more you eat raw foods, the less you will crave cooked foods and sugar. keep lots of fresh fruit and veggies on hand. eat lots of green leafy veggies...then you will crave green leafy veggies. i read that if you crave sugar, you need calcium, so eat foods with calcium. until you can quit your sugar cravings, keep well stocked on natural sugars/sweets like dates, raw nut butters, honey, etc. eating those things aren't ideal, but they can help you in your transition. eventually, its best to phase them out mostly. drink green smoothies...1-1 1/2 cups water (sometimes i use coconut water), 1 cup green leafy veggies of any sort (i usually do kale, spinach, or whatever lettuce i have on hand) and some fruit. mix it all together in a blender. very easy and very yummy. they make a great breakfast! have one for lunch too. make big salads for lunch and/or dinner. go to raw food websites. there's a lot of great information. read raw food books. just keep going! best wishes!

ElektrykEye · 04-03-2006

Thanks for your supportive words. I will try the green smoothie. I like the fact that I can make it in a blender (an inexpensive piece of equipment!!) as I can't afford some of the best tools of the trade (like a good juicer). I have Ph Miracle and Alkalize or Die, but those are specifically about alkaline diets... any recommendations regarding good books for people new to eating raw? Also, any books about eating raw on a strict budget?

apple · 04-04-2006

you're welcome!
yeah, green smoothies are great...and so easy!
as far as books go, there are so many! frederic patenaude's books are really good. www.fredericpatenaude.com
"raw secrets" for information and "instant raw sensations" for recipes. that's where i got the green smoothie idea from. all the recipes are really easy with basic ingredients, so you don't have to spend a fortune on a ton of ingredients. i like the boutenko family's books. victoria's latest one is "green for life" which is supposed to be really good. www.rawfamily.com
gabriel cousens books are great. www.rawfood.com has so many books...you should check that site out.

Leslie · 04-04-2006

I found Alissa Cohen's book and DVD Living on Live Foods to be very helpful. Many of the recipes are very easy and she gives you a plan for the first 4 weeks. She shows you how to prepare some of the recipes on her DVD. Seeing someone actually making some of the recipes helped me quite a bit.
You can get mre info about the book here
www.alissacohen.com

Green smoothies are great. I do them daily for breakfast usually. I usually add a scoop of one of the raw protien powders and a green super food to the mix.
One of my favorites is 2 mangos with a large bunch of parsley.
My staple green smoothie is 3 cups of spinach, 1 cup water, 1.5 c mixed berries and 1 bananna.

HTH.

Leslie

Leslie · 04-05-2006

I forgot to mention something else I like and use alot. Fruit puddings are great.

You can make them by mixing 1 bananna with any of the following fruits in the blender ....
mango, papaya, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or kiwi.
You get a nice smooth creamy pudding.
If one of the 2 fruits are frozen you get sort of a very soft serve ice cream texture. If both fruits are frozen you end up with a thicker stiffer soft serve ice cream texture.

All 3 ways are delicious.

HTH.

Leslie

lisa_pe · 04-11-2006

Hi ElektykEye,
I started reading David Wolfe's book the SunFood Diet on Friday. It is an amazing book. It is very positive and informative reading. I have started my journey into raw and I am working on on the health of my entire body with my mental outlook as well. It is all covered in the book. It is an entire body health transformation. I am looking forward to all the benifits that are in my control.

I highly recommend his book as I have tried the raw path before and didn't have much success. I have been vegan for years and have eaten a large percentage of fresh uncooked fruits and vegetables but I have not been feeling great and my weight is a bit high.

Good luck to you and have a beautiful day.
Lisa

m rk · 04-11-2006

hey electryk! i'm still starting out too, so we can support each other. it's difficult trying to make this change but not having anyone to talk it over with.

KindnessToAllCreatures · 04-13-2006

I believe you will find a great deal of support within the raw community. Many who are now raw have been where you are currently. Be forgiving of yourself if you don't instantly succeed at being raw.
I too enjoy Alissa Cohen's book and DVD's. The recipes are good, and her approach is wonderfully supportive/reassuring- going raw doesn't need to be difficult.
Going raw can be as easy or elaborate as you wish. I personally love the simplicity it can afford. During the day I'll have:
Green smoothie for breakfast
Salad of mixed greens with diced tomato and avocado with a dash of Celtic sea salt for lunch
Green smoothie with mixed vegetables for dinner.
I also snack a lot during the day on whatever kind of fruit looks good or some type of deydrated bar/'bread'.

Wishing you much happiness as you embark on your raw lifestyle!